Darren Wesley Irvin

Obituary: Darren Wesley Irvin, 42, of Concord, died Friday, February 8, 2019 following a brief illness. A funeral service celebrating Darren's life will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, February 14 at Gilwood Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Darren's family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Whitley's Funeral Home. Darren will also lie in state at that church 1 hour prior to the funeral service. Darren was born June 18, 1976 in Cabarrus Co., the son of Don and Becky Morrison Irvin. A lifelong area resident, Darren graduated from NorthWest Cabarrus High School in 1994. He was a gifted artist who enjoyed working in graphic design for a local commercial sign manufacturer. Darren enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his four-wheeler. His generosity was always extended to those who had less than he and often times, he would go without so others would not. Darren will be dearly missed. Darren was three when I was born and judging from my first toss out of his arms to go answer the door, when I was a few days old, it was clear I was going to need to be a survivor. As we grew, this only became clearer when Mama came home from work to find he had built a campfire in the front yard, and I was dancing and leaping around it in one of Darren's polyester capes from a 1980s Halloween costume. Needless to say, even from a young age, he didn't always make the safest decisions. However, he was my big brother, and I wanted to be just like him. He loved dogs, so I loved dogs. He really didn't like cats, so I didn't like cats. He loved the "Dukes of Hazard," and there's a picture of us on the Easter Bunny's lap, not decked out in our Sunday best that my mom had chosen, but I was proudly beaming in Darren's hand-me-down "Duke's of Hazard" tee shirt and worn-out jeans. As we grew into teenagers and adults, there were many things I admired about my brother. One such trait was he was an extremely talented artist. He could whip out an intricate, beautiful drawing in less time than I could draw a stick figure. He used to send me letters and the envelopes were decorated with beautiful flowers that I am certain took him no time, or effort, to create. His artistic abilities were not limited to drawing. As a kid he could build anything out of Legos, and take apart any sort of machine, and occasionally get it somewhat put back together before something else captured his interest. Darren was also an artist in the kitchen. His self-taught culinary skills surpassed anyone's I have ever known. I would look in our cabinets and come to the conclusion that we had nothing to eat. He would come right behind me, with the same options, and go to work creating a three-course gourmet meal, all without a single hint of a recipe in sight. His creations never ceased to amaze me and rivaled any restaurant meal. Perhaps my favorite trait of Darren's was his ability to make you laugh. He was the funniest person I have ever met. Now, most of the time it wasn't appropriate, but you could not help but laugh, and I mean belly-busting, tears running down your face laughing. I think Darren used his super-sharp wit and humor to try to mask a lot of pain. I believe it is no secret that for the better-part of his adult life he constantly fought against the flesh of this world. However, even in the face of such wretchedness, Darren always, and I mean always saw the beauty of believing in God. His faith in such turmoil is what I will always admire the most about my brother. Even when he was at his lowest, he would recite the promises God has for each one of us, and exclaim how he was putting all of his hope and faith in Christ. Now that, is a beautiful sight. He was way more knowledgeable about the contents of the Bible than me, and whole-heartedly hung onto its precious words. After my family's world came crashing down with Darren's passing, I found a card he had written to my daughter, who is the same age he was when I was born. It is an Easter card, and in it he quoted Matthew 6:33: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. I can honestly say that through it all, Darren did not ever stop seeking God. In the card to my daughter, he goes on to explain the importance of Easter as the hallmark of our salvation, and how Jesus died so that we may live with Him and God in heaven forever. These words, and Darren's unfailing belief in them is the only thing that brings our family any semblance of peace in his passing. My parents and I know, without a doubt, that he was saved and therefore, is no longer in any pain and is finally set-free. We rejoice in knowing he is with our beloved family and friends who passed before him, and we find comfort in knowing we will, indeed, see him again one day. We will see a happy and healthy Darren, and for that, we are grateful. Those left to cherish his memory in addition to his parents, include his sister, Dana I. Hefner (Jason) of Huntersville, his niece, Bennett Grace Hefner and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Darren was looking forward to the arrival of his second niece, who is due to arrive in a week. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to Bethel Colony of Mercy 1675 Bethel Colony Rd. Lenoir, NC 28645.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday February 13, 2019 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 PM Thursday February 14, 2019 Gilwood Presbyterian Church (will lie in-state at the church starting at 1:00 PM)

Interment: Gilwood Presbyterian Church Cemetery